Over the last decade, many clinical practice guidelines have been developed to help clinicians and caregivers improve the management of low back pain for their patients. Despite the ongoing efforts, self-reported levels of disability in populations living with low back pain have not improved over time.
goal
There are multiple barriers to an optimal pain management which can be explained by the complexity of the implementation of clinical guidelines by the medical staff as well as the complexity of the information provided to them. In order to optimize knowledge transfer, this study aims to provide a visual communication tool that summarizes the most recent recommendations provided by high quality practice guidelines.
methodology
First, the research team searched throughout different health-related databases (e.g. PubMed, CINAHL and PEDro) in order to conduct a literature review. They selected the main and most recent clinical practice guidelines for the management of low back pain which had the best high-quality methodology. The quality of the guidelines was assessed using the AGREE-II tool, and the guidelines were compared between each other in order to identify consistencies based on an iterative process (i.e. plan, design, implement, test, evaluate and revise).
main findings
The literature review allowed to identify five practice guidelines that provided 13 recommendations, which were classified in three categories : screening of people living with low back pain, clinical evaluation and recommended treatment approaches. These clinical guidelines helped identify the required behavioral changes that rehabilitation staff should adopt in order to engage in evidence-based practice for optimal pain management of low back pain patients. A visual overview has been developed to better guide health care providers in the treatment of these people.
take home message
Clinical staff must provide health care based on data resulting from precise scientific and experimental approaches. This study summarized health care recommendations in a visual and popularized format. However, these guidelines should not be strictly applied but rather should be taken into consideration based on the expertise and experience of the health care provider as well as the values, the goals and the needs of the person being treated.
